Start Your WordPress Blog

Hennessey Viper – Zero to 220 MPH In 24.1 Seconds

Want to see what zero to 220 MPH in 24.1 seconds look like? Then you’re going to like this video of a twin turbo Hennessey powered Viper. The car makes more power and is 700 lbs lighter than a Bugatti Veyron. However, the Veyron is quicker than the Hennessey up to about 160MPH thanks the added traction from all wheel drive and a super fast shifting 7-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox.

As you’ll see from the video, the driver had to be very gentle on the launch in order to keep the rear tires from going up in a cloud of smoke. Once the blown snake hooks up, it’s brutally fast! Hennessey claims his Viper has a top speed of 255MPH, but has so far, lacked the guts to try it. Personally, I think it’ll break apart once it passes 230.

It’ll take a lot more engineering than swamping in a big motor to break the Veyron’s top speed record. For one thing, Hennessey doesn’t have access to the $17,000 tires used by the Veyron ($43,000 for the run-flat version). Those are the only tires in the world rated to go that fast. Trying to go 250+MPH with any other tires is very risky. Enjoy the video.

That video is great. One of the noticable differences between this and the Bugatti is what it’s like driving at 200 MPH. From James May’s Top Gear video it looks like going at those speeds in the Bugatti is still like taking a leisurely drive – in this, everything looks much more crazy and exciting. It really feels as if the driver is pushing the car to its limits.

Yep, due to the tires. The Veyron is engineered to go 255MPH while this is just a Viper with a huge engine. As John said, only the Veyron has tires that can transfer 1000HP to the road. Any other tires if you floor it just spin around and do nothing.

I’m also going to guess that the Viper doesn’t have proper brakes and the chassis probably won’t handle 255.

But you also have to take into account the camera and sound equipment used in each video. Top Gear’s video utilized a high-end television production camera (with steadycam, etc.) and a microphone that was wired to pick up his voice and muffle all other sounds.

The Hennessey video, however, simply used a rear-mounted camera (no steadycam technilogy) with a microphone wired directly to the camera itself, no muffling. Huge, huge difference. Perceptionally speaking, they create two entirely different worlds of sensation, even if filmed in the same car at the same speed.

That, and there’s also a massive difference between the price of the two cars. $1.2 million vs. less than $100,000. As far as I’m concerned, with a price like that, the Bugatti (though I love it) needs even more refinement.

Should probably also throw in that there’s also a huge difference in the tracks they were running on. The Volkswagon Ehra-Lessien track, which is near Wolfsburg, Germany, is as smooth as glass. The Bugatti needed that in order to reach its top speed. The track the Viper ran on, as you can see, leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Nonetheless, both cars rock. Personally, I’ve only driven a Viper (total rush), so I can’t speak for the Bugatti…though I imagine it’s insanely orgasmic!

There are a lot of flashing red lights on that dash. Not sure that’s good.
Not sure the videography difference does not make a bit of the difference between the way 200MPH seems here and with the Veyron.

The red light that comes on is a special gage they installed. In the stock Viper it’s where the other climate control air vent is located. The one to the left of it that blinks is where the oil gage is located in the stock version.

Dodge Viper has always been, and will possibly always be, my absolute dream car. Sure, there are others that are faster, but IMO nothing beats the pure sex appeal of a blue with white stripes Viper coupe…

"How I Went From Zero to Over $100,000 a Month"

The Original Dot Com Mogul

John Chow, a damn fine person, friend of the community, Ultimate Fighting Championship contestant, member of the Save the Whales Foundation, the man who controls the black market on baby seal pelts and member of the probably yo’ daddy foundation...

John Chow rocketed onto the blogging scene when he showed the income power of blogging by taking his blog from making zero to over $40,000 per month in just two years.